But Lee also felt the heat from the fans and tried to offered composed answers for those disappointed in the Trojans' season.

"We actually have to go out and play," Lee said. "It's harder than it looks."

It actually looked pretty hard for USC most of the season and harder for Kiffin, buried deep in his play chart while his team struggled.

His plucky freshman quarterback, Max Wittek, did nearly everything he could to deliver an upset. But Wittek, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 186 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, was overshadowed by the impact of a loss to a dreaded rival.

"I'm disappointed," Wittek said. "No one imagined losing five games with the talent we have."

At least Wittek was honest enough to acknowledge USC's talent instead of hiding behind the standard lines of turnovers and penalties. His mind was free perhaps after playing about as well as could be expected against the nation's top defense.

"Outside of those (two interceptions), I felt I played well in such a huge game against a great defense," he said.

"I don't regret anything at all."

Neither do the Irish, who play in their first BCS title game in school history. The defense held USC to 281 yards and barely let the Trojans have the ball for 25 minutes. Notre Dame hoarded it the other 35.

The Irish's offense was hardly shabby, amassing 439 yards on USC's soft defensive coverages. Kicker Kyle Brindza kicked five field goals, but the game easily could have been even more one-sided.

"I think Notre Dame showed they have phenomenal senior leadership," Kiffin said. "You can see those guys understand the game."

Notre Dame's defense secured the trip to Miami by stopping USC on two quarterback sneaks from the 1-yard line and then nailed tailback Curtis McNeal for a one-yard loss. On fourth down Wittek threw a pass to fullback Soma Vainuku, who dropped it in the end zone.

"That definitely didn't cross my mind (that they would stop us)," Wittek said. "That was the theme of their season. They made the plays."

McNeal said Notre Dame's size made the difference on the goal-line stand.

"They were real big up front and subbed-in bigger guys," he said. "They let you know you're not coming through the middle."

So why did USC pack things in even closer to the middle during the stand? That is a question for later.

One difference with Wittek was the reemergence of wide receiver Robert Woods, who caught seven passes for 92 yards to lead the Trojans.

"Max has a strong arm and can definitely get me the ball," Woods said.

Woods will now submit his name to the NFL for a pre-draft evaluation.

"I need to see what will benefit me more, staying or leaving," Woods said.